Our Benedictine heritage

Established in 1895 by monks of the Roman Catholic Order of Saint Benedict, the Saint Martin’s community is shaped by its Benedictine heritage; a heritage characterized by a commitment to intellectual and spiritual growth, hospitality, and service.

Rooted in The Rule of Saint Benedict Benedictine communities are encouraged—through inquiry and self-examination—to grow in all areas of life, strengthening through faith, self-reflection and personal rigor. As a community, Saint Martin’s seeks to cultivate those qualities universally agreed upon to be worthwhile pursuing: kindness, compassion, love, patience, diligence, rigor, respect and open-heartedness, to name just a few. Our Benedictine heritage acts as our lodestar, guiding our choices as an institution and continually reminding us to: care for ourselves and others, listen with our hearts, nurture and develop our communities and standing for those in need.

The precepts of The Rule of St. Benedict permeate the atmosphere at Saint Martin’s University. They can be felt in every building, in every office, in every classroom where the members of the Saint Martin’s community live in service to one another and the world around them.

Underlying life at Saint Martin’s is an active commitment—a willingness—on the part of each member of the community to espouse and pursue the Benedictine ideal; an ideal that directly impacts all activity. It is the richness of the Benedictine tradition woven into life that makes Saint Martin’s University unique. And with renewed vision, this same tradition leads us into the future.